Rinse and de-beard the mussels (this can be done ahead of time, they will keep with a wet towel placed over them in the fridge).

The next process happens quickly so you want to have your ingredients close by and ready.

Heat on high a very large sauté pan with lid (soup pot can be substituted as long as it will fit the mussels.) Add a splash of olive oil, the onion and chorizo, cook for 2 to 3 minutes until onion has softened and chorizo gets a little color.

Add garlic, parsley, pepper flakes, and pinch of salt, stir around 1 minute more. Finally add the tomatoes and mussels. You want the pan very hot when you do this as the mussels will tend to cool down the pan. Add the bottle of beer and cover until all the mussels are open, stirring a few times helps. Serve in a large bowl with warm crusty bread. Great finger food to share with lots of friends.

Fresh Salsa

From Josh Aronie of Menemsha Cafe

Depending on how much salsa I want, I fill the container it is going in with ripe tomatoes so I have an idea how much I will end up with.

Ingredients:

1 qt. diced ripe tomatoes, seeds and juice added. Only remove the part where the stem meets the tomato.

1/2 to 1 small diced red onion

2-3 juiced limes

1 jalapeno small dice (with seeds for hotter salsa)

half of a bunch of fresh washed cilantro rough chop

kosher salt and pepper to taste

Mix in bowl and season until you like it. Strain juice into jar or container and set aside (do not throw away).

Guacamole

6-10 ripe avocados (remove pit and put flesh in mixing bowl)

Mash with fork or potato masher

Add 1-2 teaspoons of cumin

Two to three spoonfuls of your fresh salsa

Kosher salt and pepper to taste

Several squirts of Cholula hot sauce to taste (ultimately you should like the way it tastes).

Bloody Mary or Maria

Juice from salsa

1-2 shots of your favorite vodka or tequila

Ice

dash of celery seed

Shake and put in nice tall glass that has been lined with kosher salt and pepper